Even It Up Explained

Even It Up
Type:single
Artist:Heart
Album:Bébé le Strange
B-Side:Pilot
Released:January 1980 (US) [1]
Recorded:1979
Genre:Hard rock
Length:3:48 (Promo Version)
5:09 (Album/Single Version)
Label:Epic
Producer:Mike Flicker
Prev Title:Dog and Butterfly
Prev Year:1979
Next Title:Bebe le Strange
Next Year:1980

"Even It Up" is a song recorded by the rock band Heart. It was released in 1980 as the first single from the band's fifth studio album Bebe le Strange. The song is an uptempo rock and roll number which lyrically is sung by a woman who is demanding that her lover "even it up" by reciprocating the effort that she has put forth in their relationship.

Cash Box said it has "steamy lead guitar riffs" and "aggressively sensual lead vocals."[2]

This song is the first of three Heart tunes to utilize the Tower of Power horn section, along with their cover of Aaron Neville's "Tell It Like It Is" and "Tall Dark Handsome Stranger" from 1990's Brigade.[3]

"Even It Up" peaked at number 33 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"That song was written in about '79 or '80, and it was definitely a response to being obstructed as women in the rock field. There are so many systemic things that get thrown up in front of you, different glass walls and stuff. We were speaking out against it then," said singer Ann Wilson.[4]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Bebe le Strange.[5]

Heart

Additional musicians

Chart performance

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart[6] 56
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[7] 33

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Heart singles.
  2. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. February 9, 1980. 17. Cash Box. 2022-01-01.
  3. Web site: Tower of Power Discography.
  4. Web site: Ann Wilson of Heart : Songwriter Interviews . Prato. Greg. Songfacts. April 26, 2022 . April 27, 2022.
  5. Bébé le Strange . liner notes . . . 1980 . FE 36371.
  6. Web site: Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada . Collectionscanada.gc.ca . 2012-06-23.
  7. Web site: Heart - Chart history . Billboard . 2016-10-16.